Genetics of novel brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) resistance genes in derived introgression lines from the interspecific cross O. sativa var. Swarna × O. nivara

The brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Homoptera: Delphacidae) is considered a threat to rice (Oryza sativa ssp.) crop in many parts of the world including India. Among the BPH-resistance (R) genes so far reported in rice, most of them are ineffective against BPH biotype 4 predominant in the Indian sub-continent. In this study, we show the introgression line RPBio4918-230S was identified as BPH resistant after five years of rigorous screening at seedling stage and two years at tillering and reproductive stages. The inheritance of resistance indicated that two recessive genes are involved at seedling and reproductive stages. The allelic relation with known genes using linked reported markers suggested that the genes present in RPBio4918-230S are different. We report here the genetics of the two newly introgressed BPH resistance genes from O. nivara in the background of Swarna which are effective at all the important growth stages. The genes have been tentatively named as bph39(t) and bph40(t). The honeydew area (feeding rate) and days to wilt parameters observed at 30 days after sowing in BC1F3 indicated that newly introgressed genes have both antibiosis and tolerance mechanisms for resistance. The BPH resistance genes identified in this study would facilitate the breeding of broad spectrum and durable resistance in rice against BPH biotype 4.

Predictors and Protectors of Pathological Menopause

A prospective study of 1484 women aged 35-70 years was conducted, which were divided into 3 groups -late reproductive, perimenopausal and postmenopausal. Menopausal syndrome (MS) was detected in 1369 (93.3%) women. Every third woman in peri-and postmenopause had a moderately severe MS. The metabolic imbalance worsened more as the severity of the MS increased, rather than with increasing age. Predictors of pathological menopause are identified -these are the main components of the metabolic syndrome (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity); uterine fibroids, as well as urbanization and higher education. The protective factors for the development of the MS was the absence of the fact of marriage (single), medical education and waist circumference of 80 cm or less.

Analysis of the reproductive stage and ovarian histomorphometry of Dermanura cinerea (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in an Atlantic Forest fragment of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil / Análise do estágio reprodutivo e histomorfometria ovariana de Dermanura cinerea (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica de Pernambuco, Nordeste do Brasil

This study aimed to analyze the reproductive stage, histology and morphometry of the ovary of Dermanura cinerea in an Atlantic Forest fragments in the Biological Reserve of Saltinho, Pernambuco, Brazil. Adult females were captured monthly by mist net, during two consecutive nights from June/2014 to November/2015. The meteorological data were provided by the National Institute of Meteorology and grouped together with the reproductive data, in six periods: period I (June to August/2014), period II (September to November/2014), period III (December/2014 to February/2015), period IV (March to May/2015), period V (June to August/2015) and period VI (September to November/2015). The females were classified according to their reproductive stages in: Inactive, pregnant, lactating and postlactating. Among the 25 females caught, 10 inactive females were selected for the histomorphometric analysis of the ovaries and then they were euthanized. After that, the specimens had their ovaries removed, fixed, processed and included in Paraplast. The organs were cut and stained by Hematoxylin - Eosin and the histological slides produced were submitted to the appropriate optical microscope analysis. Each type of ovarian follicle was estimated according to the histological characteristics evidenced for other mammals. In the morphometric analysis, it was considered: The area of the ovary (measured in square millimeter), Quantification of different types of ovarian follicles (unilaminar and multilaminar primary follicles, antral and matures) and corpus luteum, as well as the area of each by those different follicles (measured in square micrometer) The results indicated that 16 females were inactive, 5 were lactating, 4 were pregnant and no post-lactating. The histological analysis revealed that the ovaries of D. cinerea exhibit characteristics, structures and cellular types similar to other mammals. The morphometric data of the study area were statistically evaluated using the Student's t-test. Therefore, ovarian histomorphometric analysis are very important to infer with greater certainty about the reproduction of a species. Thus, it was observed that females of D. cinerea exhibit two reproductive peaks, that is, they can give birth either at the end of dry periods or from the beginning to the middle of the rainy season. The main feature observed in the ovary of this species, found in the Atlantic Forest area of the state of Pernambuco, is the preparation of the ovarian cortex to ovulate in months of high rainfall throughout the year. Therefore, this species tries to adjust its reproductive period with the variations of the environmental conditions, so that the reproduction might occur during the period more favorable for the maintenance of their offspring.(AU)

Esse estudo objetivou analisar o estágio reprodutivo, histologia e morfometria do ovário de Dermanura cinerea em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica da Reserva Biológica de Saltinho (Pernambuco, Brasil). Foram utilizadas fêmeas adultas capturadas por redes de neblina, de modo que as coletas ocorreram mensalmente, durante duas noites consecutivas de Junho/2014 a Novembro/2015. Os dados meteorológicos foram fornecidos pelo Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e agrupados, juntamente com os dados reprodutivos, em seis períodos, sendo estes: período I (Junho a agosto/2014), período II (Setembro a novembro/2014), período III (Dezembro/2014 a fevereiro/2015) período IV (Março a maio/2015), período V (Junho a agosto/2015) e período VI (Setembro a novembro/2015). As fêmeas foram classificadas, de acordo com o estágio reprodutivo em: inativas, grávidas, lactantes e pós-lactantes. Das 25 fêmeas capturadas, foram selecionadas, para as análises histomorfométricas dos ovários, 10 fêmeas inativas, as quais foram eutanasiadas. Depois disso, os espécimes tiveram os seus ovários removidos, fixados, processados e inclusos em paraplast. Os cortes foram corados por Hematoxilina - Eosina e as lâminas histológicas produzidas foram submetidas às devidas análises em microscópio óptico. Cada tipo de folículo ovariano foi estimado de acordo com as características histológicas evidenciadas para outros mamíferos. Nas análises morfométricas, considerou-se: a área do ovário (mensurada em milímetro quadrado), quantificação dos diferentes tipos de folículos ovarianos (primários unilaminar e multilaminar, antrais e maduros) e corpo lúteo, bem como foi medida a área de cada um desses diferentes tipos de folículos (mensurada em micrômetro quadrado). Os resultados indicaram a presença de 16 fêmeas inativas, 5 lactantes, 4 grávidas e nenhuma pós-lactante. As análises histológicas destacaram que os ovários de D. cinerea possui características, estruturas e tipos celulares padrões semelhantes ao dos demais mamíferos. Os dados morfométricos da área do ovário foram avaliados estatisticamente por meio do teste t de Student. Assim, as análises histomorfométricas ovariana são de suma importância para inferir com maior segurança sobre a reprodução de uma dada espécie. Portanto, ficou constatado que as fêmeas de D. cinerea apresentam dois picos reprodutivos, isto é, podem parir no final de períodos secos ou do início para metade do período chuvoso. A principal característica observada no ovário dessa espécie, encontrada em área de Mata Atlântica do estado de Pernambuco, foi a preparação do córtex ovariano para ovular em meses de elevados índices pluviométricos ao longo do ano. Logo, essa espécie procura ajustar seu período reprodutivo com as variações das condições ambientais, de forma que a reprodução ocorra em períodos mais favoráveis para manutenção da prole.(AU)

Influence of anestrus and diestrus stages of oocyte on meiotic competence in bitches / Influência das fases de anestro e diestro na competência meiótica oocitária de cadelas

The bitch has reproductive peculiarities that differentiate it from other species. Several experiments have been conducted to establish efficient protocols for maturation; however, the results appear to be unsatisfactory. In this respect, the reproductive female donor should be considered, since it can be a factor of variability of findings in this species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the estrous cycle phases phase diestrus and anestrus on canine oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM). The ovaries were transported in sodium chloride 0.9% solution, and were cut into phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and the cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) selected in tissue culture medium (TCM), supplemented with 199 HEPES. A total of 469 grade 1 oocytes were collected from bitches in anestrus and diestrus. These selected oocytes were transferred to the maturation medium for a period of 72 hours, then subjected to hyaluronidase solution and stained with Hoechst 33342 to assess nuclear configuration. The comparison of anestrus and diestrus phase showed no differences (p > 0.05) between the nuclear maturation stages. Thus, the phase of the estrous cycle did not influence the in vitro maturation of canine oocytes, increasing the rates of M-II in this species.

A cadela apresenta particularidades reprodutivas que a diferencia de outras espécies. Diversos experimentos têm sido realizados visando estabelecer protocolos eficientes para a maturação, entretanto os resultados mostram-se insatisfatórios. Nesse aspecto, a fase reprodutiva da fêmea doadora deve ser considerada, já que pode ser um fator de variabilidade dos achados ate então presenciados nessa espécie. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influencia das fases do ciclo estral (anestro e diestro) na maturação in vitro (MIV) de cadelas. Os ovários foram transportados em solução de cloreto de sódio 0,9% e seccionados em solução salina fosfato tamponado (PBS) e os complexos cumulus-oócito (COCs) selecionados em meio de cultura de tecidos (TCM) 199 suplementado com HEPES. Foram obtidos 469 oócitos grau 1 de cadelas em anestro e diestro. Esses oócitos selecionados foram transferidos para o meio de maturação por um período de 72 horas, sendo posteriormente submetidos a solução de hialuronidase e corados com HOESCHT 33342 para avaliação da configuração nuclear. A comparação das fases de anestro e diestro não revelou diferença (p > 0,05) entre os estágios de maturação nuclear. Dessa maneira, a fase do ciclo estral não influenciou na maturação in vitro de oócitos caninos, incrementando os índices de M-II nesta espécie.

Differential antioxidative response of tolerant and sensitive maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes to drought stress at reproductive stage.

The role of oxidative stress management was evaluated in two maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes — Parkash (drought-resistant) and Paras (drought-sensitive), subjected to drought stress during reproductive stage. Alterations in their antioxidant pools — glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) combined with activities of enzymes glutathione reductase (GR), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT) involved in defense against oxidative stress and stress parameters, namely chlorophyll (Chl), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated in flag leaves from silk emergence till maturity. The drought caused transient increase in GR, APX, POX and CAT activities in drought-tolerant genotype (Parkash) which decreased at later stages with the extended period of drought stress. However, in Paras, drought stress caused decrease in activities of GR and CAT from initial period of stress till the end of experiment, except for POX which showed slight increase in activity. A significant increase in GSH content was observed in Parkash till 35 days after silking (DAS), whereas in Paras, GSH content remained lower than irrigated till maturity. Parkash which had higher AsA and Chl contents, also showed lower H2O2 and MDA levels than Paras under drought stress conditions. However, at the later stages, decline in antioxidant enzyme activities in Parkash due to severe drought stress led to enhanced membrane damage, as revealed by the accumulation of MDA. Our data indicated that significant activation of antioxidant system in Parkash might be responsible for its drought-tolerant behavior under drought stress and helped it to cope with the stress up to a definite period. Thus, the results indicate that antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in flag leaves can be used as indices of drought tolerance in maize plants and also as potential biochemical targets for the crop improvement programmes to develop drought-tolerant cultivars.

LOCALIZATION OF NOS IN UTERUS AND VARIATION OF NO LEVELS IN SERUM DURING REPRODUCTIVE STAGE OF MICE / 解剖学报

Objective To study the distribution and changes of three NOS isoforms in mouse uterus during reproductive stage and understand the possible physiological regulatory roles of endogenous NO in reproduction. Methods Immunohistochemisty and colorimetry were used. Results During reproductive stage, nNOS had a relatively stable expresstion in mouse uterus. Numerous positive cells mainly distributed in endometrial epithelium, endometrial stroma, glandular epithelium, vascular endothelium and smooth muscle. In the middle stage of pregnancy,eNOS had a significantly increased expresstion in mouse uterus. Strongly positive staining was observed in decidual epithelium, glandular epithelium and vascular endothelium. During early stage of pregnancy, iNOS had a relatively stronger expresstion in mouse uterus. Positve materia mainly located in smooth muscle, vascular endothelium, glandular epithelium and endometrial stromal cells. However, during estrus, the staining of iNOS in mouse uterus was negative. Moreover, the levels of NO in mouse serum during reproductive period were measured.Conclution During reproductive stage, three NOS isofoms may act dependently and independently. Endogenous NO may have physiological regulatory roles to estrogenicity, embryo implantation, maintaining the quiescence of the uterus before patrition and tissue remodelling after patrition of mice.\;[